How can you tell if a suit is high quality?
Cheap suits usually have a fused interlining, which means the lining is glued onto the fabric of the suit jacket. High quality suits, on the other hand, have either half or full canvassed interlining. In these cases, the lining is sewn instead of glued. Full canvas means the whole lining is sewn to the jacket.
A high-end suit will usually have a fair amount of handwork in it, that means, the lining is sewn by hand. You can check it on the sleeves, you can check the armhole which should be set in by hand, and you can look at the little details and see whether it's a hand stitch or a machine stitch.
A good fit is the first step to wearing a suit well. Without a suit that hugs and hangs from your body in all the right places, you'll look sloppy and disheveled, no matter how hard you try. Invest a few extra bucks in tailoring your suit to get the perfect fit, and you'll instantly look more polished.
A classy suit will mould to your body. This is particularly the case with a bespoke suit, which has a canvas made from natural fibres, such as horse hair. On a cheap suit, the canvas will likely be glued, making the overall suit look very stiff.
Hand-sewn buttonholes, sleeves, and armholes are where your trained eye should hover to make sure your suit is a good value for money. By contrast, an off-the-rack suit will be devoid of any hand-stitching, as they're made to be affordable in the mass market instead of focusing on the quality hallmarks.
You want your jacket to be as close to ypu body as it can without creating any stress marks. You don't want see it pulling when you close your top button and you don't want it to be too tight on the shoulders or upper arms.
However, an expensive suit is made of 100% virgin wool, well-made details, fine luster, and super wool quality. An inexpensive hand sewed suit is mostly glued inside and carries lots of industrial sewing errors while a hand-stitched by an expert tailor suit carries precise and durable seams.
Experts recommend spending around $500 for a quality suit.
The $500 range will give you everything you need in a basic suit: quality stitching, nice fabric, and neutral, versatile colors. It isn't the cheapest suit you can get, but it's definitely not the most expensive, either.
The standard suit: $501–$1,000
Most men will be comfortable in this price category as the value for money seems to offer a good balance.
Just be aware that high-quality suits can be made of wool, cotton, linen, silk, cashmere, mohair, and various blends of these materials. Lower-quality suits tend to be made with synthetic cloth, such as microfiber. Only wear these if you have allergic reactions to the aforementioned cloths, or if you're a vegan.
Is $300 too much for a suit?
Most likely not. It might be possible to find a decent suit on clearance for a bit more than $300 but you'll have to look around and do your research. $300 won't cover the materials and labor on a good quality suit let alone give the makers a bit of profit.
It depends. Like we discussed earlier, there are many factors that go into deciding whether $300 is a good value or not. If there are defects or the suit doesn't fit, it is not a good price. If the suit fits and you are happy with the fabric, it would be worth it.
Also, with such a wide variety of wool textiles, there's something for every season and taste. Polyester suits are known for looking cheap, but this is also because they are, actually, cheaper. Blended fabrics help to balance this out.
The cheapest suits are mass-manufactured in factories, which can keep the costs down, but also means you lose a lot of quality. While you can pick these up easily, and for price tags of $100–$300, they aren't a particularly good investment.
It really depends on your budget, and how often/hard you're going to wear your suit. If you're looking for a workhorse suit that you can rely on 2-3 times/week, a $200 RTW number will not last.
Both rarer and more expensive than cashmere, a fabric that expresses true luxury. Vicuna is the most expensive suit material in the world. It is water-resistant, breathable, has natural UV protection, and a luxurious feel.
In 2023, the trend is all about going bold with colors and patterns. The men's style world has taken notice of the need for self-expression and individuality, and suits are no exception. Honestly, why would they be? We are talking about bright and vibrant colors like electric blue, rich burgundy, and deep forest green.
One of the standout features of the 2023 suit trend is the embrace of oversized proportions. This departure from the traditional fitted look imparts an air of relaxed sophistication. Men can enjoy both comfort and style with roomier jackets and trousers, making oversized suits a versatile choice for various occasions.
In conclusion, it's perfectly fine to wear a suit without a tie as long as it's not for a black tie or another highly formal event.
Your suit jacket should cover about 80% of your butt and crotch. Generally, the bottom edge of a jacket should end between the two knuckles on your thumb. This rule can be pushed a little bit when wearing a casual sport coat because they tend to be a little shorter.
Should a suit jacket feel tight?
Chest/Torso
The lapels should lie flat on your chest (not bow out) and you should be able to slide your thumb between the button of the jacket and your stomach without it feeling too tight or loose. In terms of length, the bottom of the jacket should end where your thumb knuckle is.
Your suit trousers should lightly touch your butt and not sag. If you're making unnatural movements for fear of ripping your seat, they're too tight.
“There should be room in the back for movement and a bit of room at the bicep area.” The jacket will probably be longer, too – level with your thumb's second knuckle, rather than its first. The trousers should sit on your waist, not your hips, and fall either straight or with a very subtle taper into the ankle.
A suit should be like a second skin. You should be able to fully move your arms above your head and fully perform what I call the “hug test” which is when you hug yourself the best you can and if there is any tightness at all you need to size up.
It can cost a man a lot less to feel like a million bucks in his suit these days. There are more suits priced between $500 and $700 that include features once found typically on more expensive suits: fine Italian fabrics, modern cuts and narrow lapels.
